 2024 State of the Union, which saw him counter the likes of Marjorie Taylor Greene. But just being competent will only lock in the race. What he's got to do to achieve a breakout performance that might actually influence the rest of the country, Biden has to go into Thursday's debate with a theme. Stick to it and refuse to let Trump knock him off course. The message needs to be clear, precise, and logical. Biden should outline in his opening statement, return to it whenever possible, and close with it.